A DUCK feeder installed at Vines Park in Droitwich Spa has proved a success with thousands of visitors finding a healthier way to feed the resident ducks and waterfowl.
The cashless feeder, supplied by the Feed the Ducks Initiative and installed at no cost to Wychavon, has now been in place for 12 months. It has already been used 2,245 times.
The Feed the Ducks Initiative estimates it has two to three visitors involved in each transaction. This means the feeder has already helped around 4,500 to 6,700 people choose a healthier way to feed ducks and waterfowl at the park.
The feeder gives families and visitors a simple, fun and sustainable way to enjoy the park while helping ducks thrive on a healthier diet.
Bread has little nutritional value for ducks and can contribute to water quality problems when left uneaten. But the feeder dispenses suitable food for wild birds for just £1 using contactless payment.
The machine is solar-powered and made from 20,000 recycled plastic bottles. For every £1 spent, 10 per cent is donated to charity, with around £225 raised to support Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre following the first year of use.
The feeder continues to attract positive comments from park users, with the scheme helping people make better choices for wildlife while enjoying one of Droitwich Spa’s much-loved green spaces.
Coun Beverley Hardman, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Environment, said: “I am really pleased to see how well the duck feeder has been received at Vines Park.
“It is a simple idea, but it has made a real difference by giving residents and visitors an easy way to feed the ducks safely and enjoyably.
“It is lovely to hear that people are still making positive comments a year on.
“The feeder helps protect our waterfowl by encouraging people not to feed them bread, and it also supports a charity that does such important work helping injured wild birds.
“Thank you to everyone who has used the feeder and helped make this such a success.
“It shows how small, practical changes in our parks can help people connect with nature and care for local wildlife.”
Natalie Gould, from Vale Wildlife Hospital, said: “Seeing people enjoy feeding the ducks while helping wildlife at the same time is fantastic.
“The funds raised through the Vines Park feeder will help us continue caring for injured and vulnerable animals, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the scheme.
“It’s a brilliant example of how small actions can make a big difference for local wildlife.”
The duck feeder was first introduced as a pilot and supports Wychavon’s commitment to caring for the district’s parks, open spaces and local environment.
